Butter cutter



"W. GRQCQFF BUTTER CUTTER Filed Jan. 26, v1946 INVENTOR WILL/AM GROCOFF.

ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 23, 1949 -UNITED STA S P T O BUTTER CUTTER William Grocoff, San Francisco, Calif. Application January 26, 1946, Serial No. 643,515 (01. 31-25) 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in butter cutters, and its principal object is to provide a convenient and effective machine for slicing a block of butter, preferably of the onepound size, into a number of relatively thin squares, adapted for individual servings in restaurants, or the like.

, At the present time this operation is usually performed by placing the block of butter on an open frame having a number of wires stretched thereacross, and by manually squeezing the butter through the frame. This is rather a laborious process, and very tiring on the operator.

In the present invention, it is proposed toprovide a suitable machine in which a lever mechanism is used for forcing the butter through the frame, whereby the operation is much simplified, and can be carried out with much less effort on the part ofthe operator.

It is further proposed to provide certain improvements in the details of the machine, whereby the different parts are made to cooperate efficiently and without binding effect, and whereby the machine may be easily cleaned after use.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel cutter frame which facilitates the stretching of the wires across the same, and which is particularly well adapted for cooperation with the other parts of the machine.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of the same will be fully defined in the claims forming part of this specification.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of my machine;

Figure 2, a front view of the same;

Figure 3, a side view of my butter cutter with certain portions broken away to disclose interior construction;

Figure 4, a plan view of a cutter frame used in my machine; and

Figure 5, a section taken along 5 of Figure 4.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my butter cutter comprises in its principal features, a base I, a post 2 rising therefrom, a housing 3 supported by the post in spaced relation to the base, a guide frame 4 for supporting the cutter frame 5 in horizontal position above the base plate, a pres- 2 sure plate 6, and lever means 1 for operating the pressure plate. i

The base I may be of any suitable construction, for giving substantial support to the remainder of the machine, and is here shown as comprising two legs 8 of channel iron arranged in. V-shaped relation and joined, at the narrow end of the V, by a cross-member 9.

The underside of the base is preferably provided with a number of suction cups III for steadying the base on its support, and to prevent marring of the surface on which the base may rest.

The cross-member 9 has the post 2 rising from its central portion, and the post supports the housing 3 in spaced relation to the base.

The lower portion of the housing consists of a channel-guide 4 for the cutter frame 5. The guide consists of a channel bent into rectangular form, with the flanges presented inwardly to provide a rear member H and two side members I 2,

the front of the guide frame being open, except that the front ends of the members 12 are interconnected by a plate l3 lying in the plane of the lower channel flanges.

At the rear corners of the guide frame, the outer walls are removed for a short distance, as at M, to render the channel accessible for cleanmg purposes.

This guide frame is adapted to slidably receive the cutter frame 5 in the manner shown, and to support the latter in spaced relation to the base I.

The inner edges of the guide frame have a superstructure rising therefrom comprising a rear wall I5 and side walls It arranged in rectangular relation, and dimensioned for accommodating a block of butter therebetween. The side walls are sufficiently wide to bring the front edges thereof substantially flush with the front edge of the cutter frame.

The pressure plate 6 is dimensioned to substantially correspond to the upper surface of the block of butter to be cut, and to freely slide between the walls of the superstructure in horizontal position.

The side walls l6 are formed with vertical slots l1, and the pressure plate has vertically elongated, rectangular bearing members I8 projecting through the slots for guiding the pressure plate When the same is moved vertically.

For moving the pressure plate, I provide the lever mechanism 1, including a lever l9 pivoted to the rear Wall at the upper end thereof, as at 20, and connected to the pressure :plate by means of a pair of links 2| pivoted to the lever, as at and vertical 'fiange s 26 projecting downward from the inner edges thereof.

Two opposing horizontal flange are with a large plurality of correspondin notchs 1 or slots 27 for anchoring a series of, wires 28 spread across the upper face of thefraiiie." Any suitable means may be usednfor. anchoring the ends of these wires.

The slots taper down to a point to allow the wires to become wedged thereinj The use of leverage rheans for forcing the pres:

sure'pla'te downward facilitates thjoperatioh so that the" latter can be carriedput without' ai y ma butter critter o f thecharacter aesmqaj a base, a' post rising therefrom, a frame su ported by the postan'd "having horizontal guide ways and rear and side walls rising therefrom, a "ci1 tter fram'e receivable inthe' 'guid'e *waysF-a pressure plate movable between the walls; above the cutter frame, a'lver pivoted to the rear wall,"

anda link connection betweerf the lver'arid-the pressureplate for oper'atingtlie latter, the guide ways"being'in the form of a'rectangular channelhaving inwardly presentednflanges. and having openings at the corners in the outer wallthereof to give access for cleaning purposes.

2. In a butter cutter iof'the character described,. abase, a post rising therefrom, a frame supported by the post and having horizontal guide ways and rear and side walls rising therefrom, a cutter frame receivable in the guide ways, a pressure plate movable between the walls above the cutter frame, a lever pivoted to the rear wall, a link connection between the lever and the pressure plate for operating the latter, the guide ways being in the form of a rectangular channel having inwardly presented upper and lower flanges, and a plate connecting the forward ends of the lower fian gestoserve as a guide for leading the cutter frame into the guide ways.

In a butter cutter of the character described,

a base, a post rising therefrom, a frame supported by the post and having horizontal guide ways and rear and side walls rising therefrom, a cutter frame receivable in the guide ways, a pressure "plate movable between the walls above the cutter frame, and means operable for forcing the pressiireplate toward the cutter frame, the guide ways beingin the forr n of a rectangular channel havii'ig inwardly" presented flanges and having jop'er ings t thecorne'rs in the outer wan-thereof to give access for cleaning purposes. j l, 4. In'a' butter cutter of the characterdescribed, a basefa post rising therefrom, a frame supported by the post and having horizontal guide ways and rear and side walls risin t rom, f'i cutter frame receivablein the guide wayafiriea'ns operable -for forcing the' 'pressure jplate"toward the cutterfr'am'e," the 'guide ways being irr th e' form offa rectangular'cha'nnel having inwardlypref s'ented upper Land flower channels, and a plate connecting the forward ends of the lower flanges tojs'erve as a guide for leading the cutterframe intotheguideways. r .W LHAMQR .REFERENCES CITED" Thefollowingreferences are of record in the file of thispatent:. c

.. UNITED. STATES time Castriana June 8, 1937. 

